Report claims Comey asked for funds for Russia probe days before being fired

According to a latest report released by the New York Times, FBI Director James Comey had requested additional funding and personnel for the agency’s probe into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, just days before he was fired.

According to reports, Comey had asked Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein for a significant increase in resources for the Russian probe last month and he later briefed US lawmakers on the request that he made. This report was confirmed by three unnamed officials who are privy to the case.

In a shocking move, US President Donald Trump fired Comey from his position and later justified his move to Comey’s handling of the Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton’s email scandal.

Comey had been leading the FBI’s investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential campaign and possible collusion with Trump’s campaign. Shortly after Comey was fired, the Democrats accused Trump of having political motives behind this move.

Trump, in a letter to Comey released by the White House, said: “It is essential that we find new leadership for the FBI that restores public trust and confidence in its vital law enforcement mission.”

In the letter, Trump also clarified that he had accepted recommendation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions that he could no longer provide effective leadership to the agency. Comey’s terms was supposed to last through September 2023.

Before being appointed as the Attorney General, Sessions used to advise Trump campaign during the election campaign.